Houston’s Main Street To Become Car-Free Ahead Of World Cup

Houston is gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by permanently transforming seven blocks of Main Street downtown into a car-free pedestrian promenade.

The $12 million “Main Street Promenade Project,” led by the urban planning group Downtown Houston+, will reshape the stretch from Rusk to Commerce, leaving only portions by the JW Marriott and Holy Cross Chapel open to cars. Red Line Metro trains and cross-street traffic will continue to operate to ensure accessibility across the area.

Downtown Houston+ just released the final renderings of the project and, according to the Houston Chronicle, construction is scheduled to begin in May and a wrap few months before several World Cup matches are played in Houston in June 2026.

“The project’s objectives are multifaceted, aiming to attract more visitors to the Downtown area, activate the public realm throughout the day and night, enhance mobility, ensure safety, and establish a vibrant identity for this stretch of Main Street,” Downtown Houston+ said on its website.

According to the Chron, the project was inspired by the  2021 “More Space: Main Street 2.0” program aimed to support local businesses. The pilot program restricted car traffic and allowed restaurants to create gathering spaces along Main Street.

The promenade is expected to become a lively area for residents and visitors alike. To achieve this, Downtown Houston is offering grants of up to $50,00 to businesses to add outdoor cafes or improve their storefronts.

“The theme on Main Street is going to be outdoor cafes to start, and so we really want to create a vibrant, happening retail environment,” Cassie Hoeprich, director of planning at Downtown Houston said.